Head's Headline
You will all be aware by now of my decision to move on from my role as Headteacher of the school. Helping to create Croxley Danes and working with the students, staff, governors and parents has been a great privilege and I want to thank you for the support you have given to me and to the whole staff team. I have every confidence that the school will continue to move from strength to strength.
Last month, an external team of professionals from ‘Challenge Partners’ were invited into school to review our provision and quality assure our own self-evaluation, with the Leader of that team being an Ofsted Inspector. We have since received some very encouraging feedback, with the review team making particularly positive observations with regard to our students’ behaviour and attitudes. It was also pleasing to receive the team’s evaluation that the school’s strategy and leadership regarding SEND and Pupil Premium is an emerging strength.
I would like to remind all Year 11 parents that our GCSE exam ready sessions are well underway and highlight the importance of your child attending these sessions. This programme will support the students with both their current and previous learning and will strengthen their revision technique and exam skills.
Finally, I would like to thank our staff members who accompanied our Year 9 and 12 students on this year’s ski trip to the Spanish Pyrenees during the half term break. The trip was a great success with students having a fantastic time and making some excellent progress on the slopes. Many thanks to Mrs Raphael for taking responsibility to lead the trip and to Mr O’Dea, Miss Sutton, Miss Waterman and Miss Wright for supporting her and the students.
MR S THOMPSON
Headteacher, Croxley Danes School
Philosothon at Northwood College
On 21st February, ten students from Years 10, 11 and 12, competed admirably at this year’s Philosothon, hosted at Northwood College.
Giving up the Wednesday afternoon of February half term, our team of students competed against others from Putney, South Hampstead, Parmiter’s and Watford Girls. After receiving some training about how to engage in philosophical enquiry, students took part in small group discussions which were then judged.
The two rounds of philosophical dialogue saw students discussing Robert Nozick’s Experience Machine and the Benevolent Dictator scenario - thinking through important questions about happiness, free will, law and kindness.
Sustainability Project for People and Planet Students
As part of last week’s ‘Feeling Good Week’, students from the People and Planet group at Croxley Danes joined members of Sustainable Three Rivers at the Rickmansworth Community Garden and library to take part in various activities that focused on how outdoor spaces can be used to help promote wellbeing and sustainability. Sustainable Three Rivers is a Community Interest Company founded by a group of local residents who aim to help people in the local area make lifestyle changes to encourage sustainability and protect the planet.
Swimming County Championship Success
We’re always keen to be kept informed of our students’ achievements outside of school and we were delighted to hear about Summer in Year 9’s incredible success in the Swim England Hertfordshire County Championships this month. Summer had a truly amazing finish to the competition, taking home four gold medals in the heats for both 100m and 200m breaststroke and 100m and 200m backstroke plus three silver medals in the heats for the 100m, 200m and 400m individual relays and three bronze medals for 400m and 1500m freestyle and mixed relay. And as if Summer’s wins in the heats weren’t enough, her winning timings also put her in the top three out of all the junior competitors for the whole county for seven of the races, becoming Gold Female Junior County Champion in both the 200m backstroke and 200m breaststroke.
Voices of the Holocaust
On Tuesday 6th February, we welcomed the Voices of the Holocaust charity into Croxley Danes to work with our young people. Representatives from the school council, equalities group and Year 9 year group council worked with Cate from the charity in the morning to discuss some of the key events leading up to the Holocaust and how we should be using this memory to impact our lives today. Students were excellent in these sessions showing both historical knowledge and empathy.
All of Year 9, as well as the students from the morning session, were then privileged enough to watch Kindness: A Legacy of the Holocaust - a performance from four actors where they brought real-life testimony of Holocaust survivors to life through their moving production that showed stories of persecution from different groups during the Holocaust.
Care Home Visit for Feeling Good Week
A range of daily activities were organised for students for last week’s Feeling Good Week 2024. Activities ranged from puzzle clubs, mindful colouring, dancing sessions, origami and even a ‘wellbeing wonderland’ led by Charlotte Barton from Trinity Project where a beach environment was created to bring a sense of calm to the students whilst using ocean sounds, smell and sand.
Tuesday’s activity was particularly special with Miss Bhalla and Mrs Richards taking student leaders from our Wellbeing and Equalities Teams to take part in some intergenerational gardening and planting with residents at Barchester Chorleywood Beaumont Care Home. Students and residents made lovely connections whilst decorating plant pots and planting various herbs and flowers. Conversations flowed regarding what makes us smile and they even enjoyed a story together.
2024 Ski Trip to the Spanish Pyrenees
During the February half term, students from Years 9 and 12 had the exciting opportunity to visit the Spanish Pyrenees for five days of fun in the mountains for this year’s ski trip. With blue skies and powdery snow, the conditions were set for a thrilling week on the slopes!
With students of all skiing abilities welcomed on the trip, we were so proud to see how quickly they progressed. After spending at least four hours each day skiing, all students made it on to the main slopes and some of our beginners even tackled the black run by the end of the week.
This year’s ski trip proved to be a great success full of skiing, tubing, bowling and mountain fun with everyone having a fabulous time. Thank you to all staff involved in organising the trip and to Mrs Raphael, Miss Waterman, Mr O’Dea and Miss Wright who accompanied the children.
Parent Teacher Student Association Update
The PTSA have had lots going on throughout March. We served refreshments at the Year 9 Parents' Evening this week and will be doing the same at the four school productions of The Addams Family on 14th, 15th, 18th and 19th March. We also have a Year 8 school disco on Wednesday 20th March. Tickets for this will be available to purchase from Monday 11th March.
The date for the quiz is TBC.
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